Cord Blood Cord Blood Collection and Processing 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When is cord blood collected relative to the birth process?
- Before delivery of the placenta, immediately after the umbilical cord is clamped and cut (Correct answer)
- Several hours before delivery begins
- Only after a cesarean section
- After the mother has been discharged from the hospital
Correct answer: Before delivery of the placenta, immediately after the umbilical cord is clamped and cut
Cord blood is collected immediately after the umbilical cord is clamped and cut following birth, and before or after delivery of the placenta, using a sterile needle to drain blood from the umbilical vein.
Question 2: What is the average volume of cord blood collected from a single birth?
- 500–700 mL
- 100–200 mL
- 60–80 mL (Correct answer)
- 10–20 mL
Correct answer: 60–80 mL
The average cord blood collection volume is approximately 60–80 mL, though this varies based on birth weight, timing of cord clamping, and collection technique.
Question 3: What anticoagulant is pre-loaded in cord blood collection bags to prevent clotting?
- Warfarin
- Citrate phosphate dextrose (CPD) (Correct answer)
- Heparin sulfate
- Aspirin solution
Correct answer: Citrate phosphate dextrose (CPD)
Cord blood collection bags are pre-filled with citrate phosphate dextrose (CPD), which chelates calcium to prevent coagulation and preserve cell viability.
Question 4: Within how many hours after collection must cord blood be processed to maintain optimal cell viability?
- Within 6 hours
- Within 12 hours
- Within 48 hours (Correct answer)
- Within 7 days
Correct answer: Within 48 hours
Cord blood should ideally be processed within 48 hours of collection to maintain acceptable cell viability, though processing within 24 hours is preferred by most accreditation standards.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of the density gradient centrifugation step in cord blood processing?
- To freeze the cord blood
- To separate mononuclear cells (including stem cells) from red blood cells and granulocytes (Correct answer)
- To add DMSO to the sample
- To test for bacterial contamination
Correct answer: To separate mononuclear cells (including stem cells) from red blood cells and granulocytes
Density gradient centrifugation uses a ficoll or similar medium to separate the buoyant mononuclear cell layer (containing stem cells) from denser red blood cells and granulocytes.
Question 6: What is the minimum total nucleated cell (TNC) count generally required for a cord blood unit to qualify for public banking?
- 5 × 10⁵ cells
- 5 × 10⁸ cells (Correct answer)
- 1 × 10⁶ cells
- 2 × 10⁷ cells
Correct answer: 5 × 10⁸ cells
Most public cord blood banks require a minimum total nucleated cell count of approximately 5 × 10⁸ (500 million cells) for a unit to qualify for banking and listing in the registry.
Cord Blood Cord Blood Collection and Processing 1
When is cord blood collected relative to the birth process?